# - Wilde, Oscar.

concerning townshend's illustration for "the canterville ghost" ("...I am very much pleased with your picture ... and should like to see you about another..."), 4 pages, 8vo, embossed stationery of 32 Dover Street, 16 Tite Street, Chelsea, [early February 1887], tear to top outer corner of first leaf affecting address, dust staining to last page

Condition is described in the main body of cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...You have made the stained glass window modern American, one of John Lafarge's in fact. It should be old English. The ghost's legs are a little too transparent..."

Wilde's story 'The Canterville Ghost', which tells of the failed attempts of the spirit of the Elizabethan Sir Simon de Canterville to terrorise the modernising American minister Hiram B. Otis and his family, was first serialised in the Court and Society Review, February-March 1887. The illustration discussed here depicts Otis offering the ghost a bottle of Tammany Rising Sun Lubricator with which to oil his chains. Frederick Henry Townshend (1868-1920) went on to illustrate Kipling and become art editor of Punch.